Beneficial microorganisms as strategies to maximize growth and resilience of Citrus.

Abstract

The popularization of science through social media and communication channels with knowledgeable individuals in the field is undoubtedly the pathway for research to be comprehensible to the community at large. Similarly, communication through a more playful and colloquial language directed towards potential beneficiaries of the research is essential to attract them to the innovation being generated. The submission of this proposal is linked to the thematic research project entitled 'Synthetic Communities of Citrus Rhizosphere Microbiota Aimed at Plant Development and Stress Resistance Benefits' (Process 2020/14584-8). The main objective of this project is to develop and characterize synthetic microbial communities, referred to here as Ci-SynCom, with the aim of promoting benefits to citrus plants. These benefits are expected when seedlings are inoculated at different stages of nursery formation, with potential repercussions on plants when grown in the field, aiming to increase plant resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses. The growing demand for agricultural inputs, driven by the need to address the increasing challenges of biotic and abiotic stresses during crop cultivation, underscores the urgency to develop sustainable agricultural production strategies. In this context, there is a growing interest in the use of microorganisms as mitigators to the use of chemical inputs in agricultural practices. Given the sustainable purpose (economic and environmental) and the applicable potential of this project, it becomes of fundamental importance to leverage tools that aid in the democratization of scientific knowledge, making it accessible to a broader audience. This proposal aims to transcend the boundaries of academic circles, reaching producers and society at large.